Connect with us

Politics

Barack Obama: From Harvard student to president of America

Published

on

Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama was the 44th president of the United States, and had the majority of America on his side. He was the first African-American commander in chief, and served two terms from 2008 to 2012. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and studied at Punahou Academy. He excelled in basketball, before graduating with honours in 1979. Being only one of three black students in the school, he became conscious of racism within America.

He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law in 1991.

Obama would practice law with firm Miner, Barnhill and Galland as a civil rights lawyer, occasionally teaching at the University of Chicago Law School.

Obama’s advocacy work led him to run in politics as a Democrat in the Illinois State Senate. He worked with Republicans and Democrats to draft legislation on ethics, expanding health care services and childhood education programs for the poor.

After the 9/11 attacks, Obama was early in voicing his opposition to going to war in Iraq.

Obama announced his candidacy for president in 2007, and defeated Republican John McCain for the presidency. 100 days from his Inauguration day, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his efforts. He passed a $787 billion stimulus bill to stimulate short-term economic growth, and proposed new regulations for Wall Street. Further, he cut taxes for working class families and overhauled America’s foreign policy. He opened dialogues with Europe, Russia and China and set an August 2010 date for withdrawal of nearly all troops from Iraq. He also ordered the closing of Guantanamo Bay and signed an executive order banning the use of excessive interrogation techniques.

Obama won a second four-year term in the 2012 election.

He went on to call the nation to action on issues to do with climate change, marriage equality and health care.

Barack Obama started from humble beginnings, before rising up the ranks to become the 44th president of America.

Continue Reading

Politics

Donald Trump: From billionaire to the 45th president of the US

Published

on

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is a name that is heard in almost every news outlet daily, and is often marred with controversy and outrage. Most considered his presidency a long shot, something that would be around as a joke but ultimately wouldn’t amount to anything. But Trump defied the odds and beat many more Republicans for the primary race, before taking it to the next step and winning the presidential election.

Trump was born into the family of real estate tycoon Fred Trump.

Trump got into real estate with a loan of $1 million dollars, helping to manage his father’s extensive portfolio through the New York City boroughs.

He went on to build Trump Tower and the Grand Hyatt. In 2003 he debuted his TV show The Apprentice, in which contestants compete for a management job within his organization.

In July 2015, Trump announced his entrance into the race for the White House.

His campaign was run on controversial promises including to build a wall between the US and Mexico, and make Mexico pay for it, as well as a Muslim travel ban.

Furthermore, his campaign had numerous controversies emerge from it, including a recording of him making derogatory remarks about women and claims from notable figures that he was not fit for office.

He won the presidential election against political opponent Hilary Clinton, stunning the nation.

He made history, as he is the first US president to have never served in the military, as well as never having held an elected office.

Trump became the 45th president of America in November, 2016.

Donald Trump’s life is that of a real estate mogul who decided to go into politics with radical views which would ultimately bring him into the White House.

Continue Reading

Politics

Lessons in leadership from Barack Obama, 44th president of the US

Published

on

Barack Obama

Barack Obama was the 44th president of the US, and was widely considered to be a natural born leader. Being a symbol of hope and change, Obama was an inspiration to many, especially among minorities in America. Obama leaves behind a presidential legacy in which many policies changed the course of America for the better. His leadership inspired many young people to stand up and fight for their cause. During his media talks, he was calm and commanded power with his words, unshaken by large crowds of people.

This is how Barack Obama was such a strong leader.

Understand where you come from

Being from Hawaii, Obama always believed in keeping calm, as he kept that island spirit. He realised that it is important to realise you live in a land with limited land and resources, and that an appreciation of the land should be kept. When living in Indonesia, he realised how big the world is, and how some people can have so little while some have so much. This shaped his perspective of the world.

It is important to listen

Obama realised that there are always going to be conflicts, and that it was important to listen to the other side, otherwise there would just be conflict.

It is important to show respect to each side but be willing to voice your opinion and listen to others opinion.

Don’t feel hopeless

Obama believes that in many situations there will be disruptions and problems, but you shouldn’t ever feel hopeless. This was evident in his stance on climate change, in which he stated that old people would not care as much as young people and that’s the way it is, but it doesn’t mean to give up and feel hopeless.

Barack Obama was a great leader and exuded leadership qualities that many can take and learn from.

Continue Reading

Politics

How Hilary Clinton has led the way for women empowerment

Published

on

How Hilary Clinton has led the way for women empowerment

Hilary Clinton has long been an advocate for women’s rights, and as a leading figure in politics for a long time, and especially in the past when women’s rights were less developed, she is a perfect icon for women empowerment. She has openly stated her support for gender and sexual rights with considerable frequency, and continues to enjoy support from self-identified feminists. During her term as first lady, she is possibly the most active one in history to date. She played a significant role in shaping and justifying many US policies. Her terms as senator further improved this image of a strong, empowered woman in power capable of making her own decisions separated from her ex-president husband, Bill Clinton. In 2008, she was made secretary of the state under the Obama administration. With a woman in power and a minority as president, the duo paved the way for empowerment on the world stage, and allowed for further minorities to have a voice. In addition to this, she became the first woman to top the presidential ticket of a major party in the United States. She had helped to pioneer and be the face and voice of many women empowerment charities, organizations and movements. Having someone like Hillary Clinton as the face of the organization would help to inspire not only the women within the organization, but the women outside who are looking for a voice. A famous quote from Hillary Clinton solidifies her as an icon amongst women, “I have always believed that women are not victims. We are agents of change, we are drivers of progress, we are makers of peace – all we need is a fighting chance”.

Hillary paved the way for women in politics, as well as women outside of politics, and continues to be an icon of women empowerment.

Continue Reading

Trending